Niese will start opening day, if he's healthy. I give Wheeler credit for wanting to start then, but he's gotta earn it. If he pretty much dominates throughout camp, then he at least makes it interesting as to who the manager should pick. If anybody who has commented here ever spent a significant amount of time pitching on any level, dead or sore arms can come and go, especially at the beginning of the Spring, when adhesions in the shoulder arm may have built up, if the pitcher didn't throw that much in the offseason.

Has he always stuck his thumb off the ball when he's throwing a hook? Obviously he's much more knowledgable than I, but it just seems like that would be something a major league hitter could pick up unless it's behind his head.

In either respect, I hope Jon stays healthy this year. This rotation is going to need every bit of help it can get from the veterans.

Lets face it, he came into camp out of shape. There are multiple pictures of him with his man boobs in Spring Training. If you are an athlete making 5 million a year, have some respect and come into camp in some kind of decent shape. Embarrassing.